Kaweco Liliput: Tiny Metal Pocket Fountain Pen
The Kaweco Liliput is one of the smallest fountain pens made: Kaweco's German site lists 9.7 cm (3.8 in) closed and 12.6 cm (5.0 in) with the cap screwed onto the end. The aluminium version is 9.9 mm across, has no clip and takes short international cartridges, with steel nibs from EF to BB.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- Kaweco Liliput Fountain Pen, black aluminium
- Brand
- Kaweco
- Brand origin
- Germany
- Made in
- Not stated*
- Material
- Aluminium body and cap, steel nib
- Released
- 1908*
- Price range
- $$$$20–75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Country of manufacture not stated: Kaweco's German Liliput page says all its nibs are produced in Germany but doesn't state where the pen itself is made, and the retailer pages we read (Endless Pens, Manufactum) don't give a country of origin either. Kaweco does label its Classic Sport "Made in Germany". Source. Price: example listing. Released: Kaweco's series page says the Liliput already existed in 1908, then in hard rubber; JetPens says it was introduced in 1910 and re-released in 2011.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Kaweco lists the Liliput at 9.7 cm (3.8 in) closed, 8.7 cm (3.4 in) open and 12.6 cm (5.0 in) posted.
- Kaweco gives 9.9 mm across and 16 g for the black aluminium pen; Manufactum lists 10 g.
- Kaweco says the Liliput dates from 1908 and still has just 3 parts: cap, barrel and section.
- There are 5 nib widths, EF to BB, and Kaweco says all its nibs are produced in Germany.
- Kaweco Germany lists the aluminium pen at €52.50 (about US$59), in our $$$ band ($20–75).
What is the Kaweco Liliput?
The Liliput is Kaweco’s smallest fountain pen: a slim metal tube that measures 9.7 cm (3.8 in) closed and becomes a 12.6 cm (5.0 in) pen when you screw the cap onto the end. Kaweco calls it one of the smallest fountain pens in the world.
It is also one of Kaweco’s oldest designs. Kaweco’s series page says the Liliput already existed in 1908, made of hard rubber, and that it still has only three parts: cap, barrel and section. JetPens dates the original to 1910 and the current version to a 2011 re-release.
In the US it’s a pocket-pen staple: JetPens alone lists two dozen Liliput variants, and The Pen Addict and The Gentleman Stationer have both reviewed it.
Kaweco Liliput specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Kaweco, Germany |
| Type | Cartridge fountain pen with screw cap, no clip |
| Body | Aluminium (black shown); also brass, copper, stainless steel |
| Nib | Steel: EF, F, M, B, BB |
| Ink | Short international cartridge, or Kaweco Mini Converter |
| Length closed | 97 mm (3.8 in) (Kaweco); 96.5 mm measured (Endless Pens) |
| Length cap off | 87 mm (3.4 in) (Kaweco) |
| Length posted | 126 mm (5.0 in) (Kaweco) |
| Diameter | 9.9 mm without clip (Kaweco); body 9.1 mm, grip 7.6 mm (Endless Pens) |
| Cap length | 43.9 mm (1.7 in) (Endless Pens) |
| Weight | 16 g (Kaweco); 10 g (Manufactum) |
| Packaging | Tin case (Kaweco) |
| Article / EAN | 10000157 / 4250278603649 (black, M nib) |
Kaweco’s German product page gives the lengths, diameter, weight and packaging. Endless Pens measured the parts, and Manufactum adds the lighter 10 g weight; we don’t know why the two weights differ, so treat the pen as light either way.
Do you have to post the Liliput?
Most hands will want to: with the cap off it’s only 8.7 cm (3.4 in) long, but posted it reaches 12.6 cm (5.0 in). The cap screws onto threads at the back of the barrel, so it stays put instead of relying on friction.
The section is slim. The Pen Addict notes that the very thin grip may be uncomfortable if you prefer a larger section, and Endless Pens measures it at 7.6 mm.
What cartridges and converter does it use?
Short international cartridges, or Kaweco’s foldable Mini Converter. JetPens lists short international cartridges, and Manufactum says one blue cartridge comes in the box.
| Part | Fits Liliput? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Short international cartridge | Yes | One included (Manufactum) |
| Long international cartridge | No | Too long for the barrel |
| Kaweco foldable Mini Converter | Yes | Sold separately (Kaweco) |
Older reviews say no converter fits. Kaweco’s current German page names the foldable Mini Converter as the match, so check that you’re buying that one.
Which nib should you choose?
Kaweco recommends M for beginners, EF for small handwriting and BB for large signatures. All five are steel; Manufactum describes an iridium-tipped steel nib. Kaweco uses German sizing, which runs wider than Japanese sizes.
How does the Liliput compare to the Kaweco Sport?
The Liliput is shorter, slimmer and metal; the Kaweco Sport is plastic, wider and cheaper.
| Kaweco Liliput (aluminium) | Kaweco Classic Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| Closed | 97 mm | 105 mm |
| Posted | 126 mm | 127–133 mm |
| Diameter | 9.9 mm | 13 mm (cap) |
| Weight | 16 g (Kaweco) | 10.7 g (Kaweco) |
| Cap | Screw | Snap, octagonal |
| Ink | Short international cartridge | Short international cartridge |
| Price band | $$$ | $$$ |
Sport figures come from our guide to it. For other small pens, see best pocket pens; for a first fountain pen with a full-size grip, our best fountain pens for beginners is a better place to start.
Where is the Kaweco Liliput made?
Kaweco says all its nibs are produced in Germany, but its Liliput page doesn’t say where the pen itself is made. Kaweco is a German brand, and it labels its Classic Sport “Made in Germany”; we found no such label for the Liliput.
How much does a Kaweco Liliput cost?
The aluminium Liliput is in our $$$ band, $20–75 per pen. Kaweco’s German shop lists the black aluminium pen at €52.50 (about US$59) as of October 2026. Brass, copper and stainless steel versions cost more.
Frequently asked questions
How small is the Kaweco Liliput?
Kaweco's German site lists 9.7 cm (3.8 in) closed, 8.7 cm (3.4 in) with the cap off and 12.6 cm (5.0 in) with the cap screwed onto the end. Kaweco calls it one of the smallest fountain pens in the world.
What cartridges does the Kaweco Liliput take?
Short standard international cartridges, according to JetPens; Manufactum says one blue cartridge comes with the pen. Long international cartridges don't fit the short barrel.
Does the Kaweco Liliput take a converter?
Kaweco's German page says it works with Kaweco's foldable Mini Converter, sold separately. Older reviews say no converter fits, written before that converter was offered.
Does the Kaweco Liliput have a clip?
No. Kaweco sells a separate clip in bronze, silver or black finishes, and leather pouches to carry it in.
How much does the Kaweco Liliput weigh?
Kaweco's German spec table lists 16 g for the black aluminium pen, while Manufactum lists 10 g. Kaweco's stainless steel Liliput is heavier, and brass and copper versions are also sold.
Kaweco Liliput or Kaweco Sport?
The Liliput is shorter, slimmer and metal, with a screw cap; the Classic Sport is plastic, 10.5 cm capped and about 13 cm posted, with a snap cap and an octagonal cap. Both take short international cartridges.
What nib sizes does the Kaweco Liliput come in?
Five steel nibs: EF, F, M, B and BB. Kaweco recommends M for beginners and EF for small handwriting.
Where is the Kaweco Liliput made?
Kaweco says all its nibs are produced in Germany, but its Liliput page doesn't say where the pen itself is made. Kaweco is a German brand.
Sources
- Kaweco (Germany): Kaweco LILIPUT Füllhalter Schwarz M (€52.50; article 10000157, EAN 4250278603649; 9.7 cm, 8.7 cm open, 12.6 cm posted; 9.9 mm; 16 g; aluminium; nibs produced in Germany; Mini Converter)
- Kaweco: LILIPUT Fountain Pen Black EF (English page; article 10000455, same dimensions)
- Kaweco (Germany): Serie LILIPUT (1908, hard rubber; three parts: cap, barrel, section)
- Endless Pens: Kaweco Liliput fountain pen (measured: 96.5 mm capped, 86.9 mm body, 43.9 mm cap, 9.1 mm body, 9.4 mm cap, 7.6 mm grip)
- Manufactum: Kaweco Liliput aluminium fountain pen (9.5 cm, 12.5 cm posted, 10 g, steel nib, one blue cartridge)
- JetPens: Kaweco Liliput Fountain Pens (aluminium, brass, copper, stainless steel and Kolibri finishes; short international cartridges; 1910, re-released 2011)
- The Pen Addict: Kaweco Liliput, a little look (March 31, 2022)
- The Gentleman Stationer: Pen review, Kaweco Liliput (July 11, 2014)